FROM THE pulpit, Devron Holman, the associate pastor for Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, preaches with passion and conviction. His words are like a soothing balm for the weary soul as he...

SINCE INDEPENDENCE Day is this month, I decided to drive to Cowan and eat at Paw Paw’s Country Cookin. Mrs. “Paw Paw” is an Army veteran, so what better time to try a new restaurant and thank her...

WHEN I was 8, I wanted to be a teacher. I remember my third grade teacher clicking the chalk on the green board on the wall. And when I was 9, I wanted to be a director. My parents bought me a...

FARRAR JEAN Ford’s childhood was a series of hospital stays and operating rooms, each leaving its mark on her. Born with a genetic disorder that necessitated numerous orthopedic surgeries, Ford's...

AS THE warm summer sun shines high in the Southern sky, it’s time to embrace the vibrant flavors of the season. Our July recipes showcase the best of summer’s produce, from juicy peaches and crisp...

STEPHANIE MAYFIELD stood atop the roof, the wind whipping through her hair and the vast expanse of the sky stretching before her. The freshly cut wood and the scent of asphalt shingles collided,...

WE OFTEN overlook the significance of basic abilities such as independence, clear sight, good hearing, problem-solving skills, and easy access to essential resources. Navigating the challenges...

WHAT BETTER time to indulge in the ultimate celebration of all things American: backyard barbecues, July Fourth festivities, and the comforting flavors of home? Let’s salute the classic dishes that...

TWENTY YEARS ago, Beri Fraley’s calloused hands gripped a rifle in the unforgiving deserts of Iraq. Back then, Fraley wasn't yet a seasoned businessman but a National Guard captain leading a patrol...

IF YOU took a snapshot of any moment in our country’s history, there is a hurt we were trying to heal. The same is true today. It’s our independence that lets us correct our wrongs, to heal, and to...

FOR MOTHER’S Day this year, I went to dinner with my youngest daughter at Piezan Pizzeria Italiano, located on the square in downtown Winchester. I wasn’t going for pizza, though. I wanted to be...

IMAGINE A world overflowing with trash overshadowed by plastic mountains. This unsettling vision could have been a reality for Franklin County until Carol Fulmer, our "Recycling Queen," and her...

I LOVE THE water. It can be any type — a swimming pool, a beach, or a lake. Birds flying, wildlife drinking, and people enjoying activities bring so much joy to so many. What better way to spend an...

THE EARLY morning sun cast long shadows across the still waters of Woods Reservoir in Franklin County. A gentle breeze ruffles the surface, creating soft ripples that shine brightly in the golden...

AN ABUNDANCE of conversations ripples across the church parking lot, punctuated by the rattle of car trunks opening. Every third Saturday, Huntland United Methodist Church (UMC) buzzes with...

SUMMER IS coming. And surely your home will sit empty for a week in this heat. The playful cheers of the kids on summer break go missing for a week that was planned for a year. The dishes sit in the...

THREE YEARS ago, on Aug. 11, 2021, Angela Averett planted the seeds for a harbor of connectivity in the Franklin County community. Her simple post on the Nextdoor app aimed to connect newcomers,...